A diagrammatic representation for studying problem-solving behavior

This article will describe a mapping procedure which can be used to display visually the strategies used in solving problems. The procedure will be applied to solutions of a particular problem, The Three Hungry Men problem, which itself provides a rich source of solution strategies. In the context of current calls for more variety and sophistication in problem solving, it will be claimed that ikonic devices for studying problem solutions, such as the mapping procedure presented here, and problems, such as The Three Hungry Men, can make a positive contribution to the teaching, learning and assessing of problem solving.